A Woman with Something to Say

A good amount of time has been spent recently at our house on the topic of  "Ordain Women" (an organization of women and their supporters lobbying the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for ordination to the priesthood) and all the noise surrounding their opinions and methods. I have two teenage daughters (I count G., even though she's just turning 12). So it matters to me to have some discussion with them about this. The other day I stopped J. on her way to bed and asked her what she had heard about it, and her thoughts. We had a good talk.

There's a lot of chatter (not all productive) about it on social media and the blog network. I have a few friends sympathetic to the idea of ordination of women to the priesthood, and I have wanted to say something...officially...in writing. This is what I think.

I am a DAUGHTER OF GOD. I know this. This is my PRIMARY IDENTITY. I have faith that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I believe that he restored his church on the earth almost 200 years ago now, and endowed it with priesthood authority. I honor that priesthood and respect the men who hold and serve with that authority. I expect them to respect me.

I am an equal partner with my husband. I am a MOTHER. This is my identity not only because I have (as many have pointed out) more than the average number of children (by about 3 times). Motherhood is a deep topic. One that I think we have merely scratched the surface of in this mortal life. 

Creation. The nurturing of life.

There is no greater influence. In the eternities I believe we will see a complete realization and understanding of this role.

Neal Maxwell said this...and I believe it with all my heart:

               “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of  women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? "

This is where I think so many get hung up when it comes to the roles of women in the kingdom of God. Where women themselves misunderstand the importance of their womanhood / motherhood. It's in the often understated, unseen work of women. But when I think about eternal life, my motherhood moves into a clearer light; out of the fog of drudging menial work, late nights, falling behind in fashion, putting up with the ingratitude of the little/big people we spend our lives serving, school science projects, tight budgets, and fatigue....
MOTHERHOOD in this life is a revelation which teaches us the subtle lessons of GODHOOD -- unconditional love, sacrifice, and through it all, a growing sense of joy and SELF WORTH. 

The counterpart of motherhood is another dimension of godhood, corresponding to our complimentary genders: PRIESTHOOD, the role of standing as intermediary (see LDS Bible Dictionary "priest") and the responsibility to preside. I think this is the stumbling block for many, this presiding part. In this mortal life it's more visible, and for many that equals more important. But this is not so in the eyes of God. 

I can understand, from a worldly perspective, how things could be perceived as unequal. Over the years sometimes I have thought that what I do is less important. I mean, I don't get any money or recognition for being a mother (what a stupid, short-sighted measure of the worth of this most important role). This was due to a lack of understanding on my part, not the reality. I understand that better now.

More than anything else I have done in my life, motherhood has taught me the beautiful irony that Jesus articulated, "...whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister." (Mark 10:43) I could not have learned (and I continue to learn) these deep and mysterious truths in any other way. So much of it is beyond words to express. In my opinion, the full appreciation of motherhood is one of the mysteries of godliness, for us to discover by the spirit.

Priesthood, in it's way, teaches these same lessons to those who have been entrusted with it. I imagine in the same way my husband learns deep and unspeakable truths about selflessness, service, God's love for his children, and his own worth through the exercise of the priesthood. 

It disturbs me to see some who profess (I assume sincerely) to have testimonies of the authority of the restored church of Jesus Christ, challenge key doctrines of that church. To me it makes no sense. It's either true or it's not. If it's true, then demanding that the leadership of that church change a central doctrine to accommodate your opinions is a ridiculous exercise. They do not have the authority to change something that God has established.

If, on the other hand, you believe that they could change the doctrine whenever they want to, you cannot believe that the doctrine comes from God, and by extension, the church must not be true. You cannot have it both ways.

Then again, if you sincerely believe that God might one day authorize the ordaining of women, demanding it out of his time-frame in public spectacles seems like a modern day steadying of the ark.

No matter how you look at it, it is a logical fallacy. The contradiction reminds me of the Book of Mormon account of Korihor and his absurd explanation for his preistcraft: that an "angel" told him to preach that there was no God. It makes no sense. (Alma chapter 30) (Let me clarify that I am NOT identifying "Ordain Women" with Korihor, only making a point about the contradiction in their argument.)

And yet, I see academic arguments circulating or cute-and-clever blog posts incorporating Mormon-ads (ugh) boldly calling for the ordination of women or, at very least, criticizing the church for its response... all of them somehow dodging the obvious. This is God's church or it is not. If it is, then it is up to us to reconcile ourselves to his plan and our roles within it...not vise versa. If it's not God's church...then why are any of us hanging around? (Not advocating for anyone to leave the church. Just to consider the implications.)

The whole thing saddens me. That some of my sisters (and brothers) in the gospel are confused about the value of women's roles in the kingdom of God. But mainly it saddens me that they are willing to let that doubt become more important than their faith (see Elder Oaks talk from LDS Gen. Conf. Oct. 2013).  Don't we all have questions and gaps in our understanding that we have to reconcile with God's plan for us? The thing is, if we put our faith first he fills in our gaps of understanding. Over time we come to see as he sees. That is the point of this life. 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)  

God's ways are not our ways. And I, for one, am grateful for that. His plan, and its possibilities for all his children are vastly more interesting and empowering than anything I or we might invent.